Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-10

Avenging the Wrongs Inflicted Upon
His Mother by French soldier.

His Mother nv - French soldier.
A Prussian officer during the war ex-
pressed particular wish to be quarter
cd at the house of lady in the Far-
bourg st. German. His request was
complied with, and on his arrival ut tie
lady's hotel he was shown into small
but comfortable apartment, with a
handsome bed-chamber adjoining. He
expressed the greatest dissatisfaction
with this accommodation, and required
the Countess should give up to him the
whole of the first floor, which she oc-
cupied herself, and which was most
elegantly furnished. She demonstrated,
but the officer was peremptOry, and in
sisted on being instantly shown into his
new apartments. The Countess had no
time to remove any of the articles even
of her own boudoir, and retired to the
second floor.
In short time new message ar
rived from the Prussian that he had APP
propriated the second floor for his aide.
de-camp, and that il must be imme.
diately prepared for his reception.
This produced an angry and earnest re-
monstrance from the lady. She urged
not only the inhumanity Of the requi-
sitioD, but the impossibility of comply
ing with it. The officer, however, was
memorable and furiously replied:
"Obey my orders or take the conse-
quences," and Mt the same time he sent
for file of men from the gnard-house.
He now threw himself, in his dirty
boots, on one of the handsome sofas,
and, ordering the cook to be sum-
moned, commanded him to prepare an
excellent dinner by an appointed hour,
as he had invited several of his brother
officers to dine with him, and reminded
the butler that the best wines that the
cellar afforded must be Forthcoming.
He now went ont and returned at the
appointed hour alone. Dinner was
served he complained that it was exc
cradle, and violently dashed the dishes
on the floor The wine was worse, and
bottle after bottle was spilled on the
beautiful carpet.
At length, when he had worried him
self and the domestics with his caprice,
he ordered that the lady should be
summoned to attend him. She was
compelled, tremblingly, to obey. 70
her establishment, he received her with
respect and addressed her i'll the follow
ing manner:
"You have doubtless, madam, been
shocked at the conduct which you have
witnessed since my entrance into your
house. Have you not thought it dis
gracefully cruel and barbavous ?"
The lady, ignorant to what this tend
ed, and fearing some new insult, hest
tated what to reply.
81 beseeeh you to answer me can
didly," he continued. "Have You not
deemed me complete savage ?"
Indeed" answered the Lady, 81
was not prepared to receive such treat
ment, and since you will compel me to
speak, | do think it most disgracefully
barbarous.
"Haye you not son, madam, in
Prussia?"
81 bad son there. but he has per-
ished"
"No, madam, he has not persisted,
hnu an not inc savage WHO'LL you
imagine. Your son was quartered at
the house of my infirm mother. Du-
ring three months he inflicted on her
the sufferings which you have endured
in the last few hours. swore to avenge
ler. 1 have kept my oath. No, madam,
am not the barbarian whom you
think. 1t was with inexpressible re-
luctance that j schooled myself to act
The part which have done YOu will
now resume your apartments and | will
seek a lodging elsewhere. Your son
will soon be in Paris. Tell him that |
meant to have required Of him strict
account for the sufferings of my poor
mother, hut | have avenged her in a
nobler way, and / cordially forgive
him"